Belgium Reverses Eurovision Boycott; Spain Challenges Israel’s Participation

Belgium has made a significant U-turn on its stance regarding Israel’s participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, after initially calling for the country’s exclusion due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Public broadcasters VRT and RTBF, along with the Belgian government, had expressed support for the boycott, but have now aligned with the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to uphold Eurovision’s non-political nature. The EBU maintains that all eligible member countries, including Israel, have the right to participate in the competition regardless of political issues.

The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation has sparked debates across Europe, with Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE formally requesting a debate on the matter. RTVE expressed concerns over Israel’s involvement due to the Gaza conflict and its potential to affect public opinion. Several other European broadcasters, including those from Ireland and Iceland, supported Spain’s call, but the EBU rejected the request, reinforcing the event’s apolitical stance. The EBU’s decision to dismiss political involvement in the contest has generated mixed reactions.

In Belgium, tensions over Israel’s participation intensified when a television union interrupted Eurovision coverage to protest, citing allegations of genocide and violations of press freedom. Despite the broadcasters’ official position, the protests highlighted deep divisions within the country, reflecting broader debates about the intersection of politics and cultural events like Eurovision. The situation underscores the challenges the EBU faces in navigating sensitive political issues while trying to maintain the neutrality of one of Europe’s biggest cultural events.